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Fishing ban sinks Bengaluru's seafood appetite

Fishing ban sinks Bengaluru's seafood appetite

 

With the annual fishing ban in India coming into force this month, the rates for fish in Bengaluru have shot up by 40% as compared to April. And reports suggest these prices will only increase further. 

 

According to the Karnataka State Fisheries Development Corporation (KDFC), the cost of Seer fish used to be Rs 650, but now costs Rs 950 a kilo. A Pomfret, which used to cost Rs 500 per kg is now being sold for Rs 755. Mackerel, which use to be a hot pick for the middle class due its reasonable price of Rs 160 a kilo, is now priced at Rs 230 a kilo. 

 

Mohammed Iftekar Ahmed, Marketing Manager, KFDC, noted that the KFDC receives 1000 kg of fish during the average season. However, after the ban, it only receives 300 kg of fish every day and on weekends, it gets about 500 kg.

 

"The price of fish is seasonal, and it always varies. But this latest ban on fishing has already started affecting people. Costly fish varieties like Seer and Pomfret which are mostly consumed in restaurants will witness a further increase in prices. Only from the first week of August, there will be some relief for seafood lovers," he said. 

 

While Kudla, a famous seafood joint in the city, is selling Seer Fish Fry for Rs 450, Carnival-De-Goa, another seafood haunt which serves Goan cuisine, is charging Rs 475 for Seer Fish Curry. 

 

However, Bengalis and Malayalis in the city claim that nothing is going to stop them from having fish as it is a part of their staple diet. 


Bengaluru Malayali Forum Vice President, Jojo PJ says, “Though prices are insanely high, nothing will stop us from eating fish.” 

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